By putting your subject off center, it also creates “negative space” or empty areas in your image, which is also visually appealing. But Denney says the Rule of Thirds is so overused in photo composition these days it's become boring itself.
RECAP: Why don't we use the rule of thirds? “The rule of thirds is unfortunately misleading because it prioritizes specific thirds placements rather than how the foreground and background interact with each other.”
The rule of thirds helps direct the viewer's gaze to the main focal point of an image, whatever the subject may be. It makes the most of empty space by drawing your eye to a specific part of the image, emphasised through composition.
He said: “When you're chasing a big goal, you're supposed to feel good a third of the time, okay a third of the time, and crappy a third of the time...and if the ratio is roughly in that range, then you're doing fine.”
Break the Rule of Thirds
Ignoring the rule could produce a randomly composed image, whereas consciously breaking it usually results in a more considered composition. It's usually best to break the rule dramatically so it doesn't just look like an accident or sloppy composition.
The rule of thirds is a general rule of thumb that can result in excellent compositions, but it doesn't always apply. In fact, many famous photographs have been taken without using the rule of thirds. And many brilliant graphics have been created without obeying the rule as well.
As with all rules (at least in photography), the rule of thirds doesn't apply in every situation, and sometimes breaking it can result in a much more eye-catching, interesting photo. Experiment and test out different compositions even if they go against any "rules" you've learned.
The rule may sometimes be useful in determining the order of priority when in a life-threatening situation, and is a generalization (or rule of thumb), not scientifically accurate.
Why? Using the rule of thirds draws the viewer's eye into the composition, instead of just glancing at the center. By placing the subject off center, you also embrace more blank space. The rule of thirds is also helpful for highlighting an interesting background.
The Rule of Three is a powerful technique or principle required for writing or speaking. It states that any ideas, thoughts, events, characters or sentences that are presented in threes are more effective and memorable. Hence, it is called the Rule of Three.
Rule of Thirds Example: Landscapes
If the focus of your image is on land (i.e. mountains, buildings), the horizon should fall near the upper third and if the focus is the sky (i.e. sunsets, sunrises), the horizon should fall near the lower third.
Placing your subject or horizon in the centre of the image is the most obvious alternative to the Rule of Thirds, and works well for many subjects. A prominent horizontal line in the dead-centre of an image perfectly bisects it and gives equal weight to the two halves of the image.
The rule of thirds explains that if you place the main subject of your image in the top, bottom, left, or right blocks of the grid, you'll capture a perfect picture every time. The rule gets even simpler than that. To capture a well-balanced photo, all you have to do is avoid keeping the main subject in the center box.
Proponents of the Rule of Three state that things are more engaging, satisfying and more effectively presented when using this rule. In fact, it is said that an audience is more likely to consume and absorb any type of information presented to them when it is grouped into threes.
Good Things Come In Threes - has a definite positive connotation. From fairy tales to Hollywood blockbusters, “the rule of three” (Latin-"omne trium perfectum") principle suggests things that come in threes are inherently more humorous, satisfying and effective than any other number of things.
Clarify= Clearly identify the decision to be made or the problem to be solved. Consider=Think about the possible choices and what would happen for each choice. Think about the positive and negative consequences for each choice. Choose=Choose the best choice!
The rule of thirds grid should be applied to any photograph you take, whether horizontally or vertically composed.
The rule of thirds is a guideline for both artists and photographers. It says that if you divide your composition into thirds, either vertically or horizontally, and then place focal areas of your scene at the meeting points of them, you will get a more pleasing arrangement and layout for your compositions.
The Rule of Three (also Three-fold Law or Law of Return) is a religious tenet held by some Wiccans, Neo-Pagans and occultists. It states that whatever energy a person puts out into the world, be it positive or negative, will be returned to that person three times.
The Golden Ratio (or Phi grid) is obtained by dividing the frame with a ratio of 1.61803:1 between the lateral and central columns, drawing 2 horizontal and 2 vertical lines, which will form 9 rectangles, as in the rule of thirds.
The Golden Mean is a mathematical spiral that places your focal point on a curved line in order to draw the viewer into the photo. The rule of thirds is a grid where the focal points and most interesting places are on the lines that is dividing the frame into thirds.
The rule of thirds is a visual guideline for photographers, which suggests dividing an image into nine equal parts to better communicate energy and interest within the shot. Most digital cameras, and even some phones, provide a grid to help photographers line up their shots in keeping with this rule.